NGC 2403 is an intermediate spiral galaxy approximately 10 million light-years away in the constellation Camelopardalis. It bears a strong resemblance to M33, the Triangulum Galaxy, with its loose spiral structure and prominent star-forming regions. This galaxy is part of the M81 Group and contains massive HII regions, similar to those in M101, making it a fascinating target for studying star formation in relatively nearby galaxies. Its bright knots of ionized hydrogen indicate active stellar nurseries, contributing to its detailed and textured appearance in deep exposures.

Captured under cold but humid conditions in the Rhein-Main area, this image integrates 120 exposures of 180 seconds in luminance, with an additional 15 frames per channel in RGB, allowing for a well-balanced color representation. The extended exposure time enhances the faint outer structures while preserving details in the bright core, revealing the galaxy’s complex arms and subtle variations in star formation.

NGC 2403, situated in the constellation Camelopardalis, is a spectacular spiral galaxy located approximately 8 million light-years away from Earth. This cosmic beauty spans about 50,000 light-years in diameter, making it roughly half the size of our Milky Way galaxy. NGC 2403 belongs to the M81 group, a small galaxy cluster that includes notable members such as Messier 81 and Messier 82.

This galaxy is renowned for its vibrant star-forming regions and features a considerable number of young, massive stars. NGC 2403 has been the subject of extensive astronomical observations and studies, providing valuable insights into the processes of star formation and galactic evolution. Its relatively close proximity to us makes NGC 2403 an ideal candidate for detailed astronomical investigations, contributing to our understanding of the broader cosmic landscape. As a member of the Local Group—a collection of galaxies that includes our own Milky Way—NGC 2403 adds to the rich tapestry of celestial wonders within our cosmic neighborhood.

Instrument or lens: SkyWatcher 200/1000 BLACK DIAMOND                                                        Atik 460 EX Mono                                                                                                                                   SkyWatcher NEQ6 Pro Goto Guidance                                                                                              ZWO OPTICAL DIVIDER Reducer / focal corrector                                                                  SkyWatcher Coma Corrector II                                                                                                      Astronomik RGB, Baader Ha 7nm, Astrnomik CLS-CC Access -s                                                  Astrnomik CLS-CCD: 104x300 "-10C bin 1x1Baader Ha 7nm: 140x300" bin 1x1 Astronomik RGB: 48x150 "bin 1x1                                                                                                                                     Integration: 22.3 Hours Darks: ~ 50Flats / PLU: ~ 11Bias / offset: ~ 1001Astrometry.net job                 AD: 7h 36 '52 "DEC center: + 65 ° 36' 10" Pixel scale: 0.468 arcsec / pixel Orientation: 179.532 degrees Field radius: 0.450 Source data: Backyard

Copyright: Rémi Méré